The new WHO Strategic Health Operation Centre (SHOC) - a state-of-the art communication technology in a fully secure environment.

A well-tested intelligence system, gathering information from Member States, the Web and from formal and informal networks.

Global network for rapid verification with countrie's health authorities, access to the best scientific expertise, and timely response.

Development of specific diagnostic and intervention tools (e.g. non-commercially available specific diagnostic reagents).

Strategic vaccine stockpiles for meningitis, yellow fever, smallpox and the same for polio in post-eradication.

Maintenance of various international expert panels and the ability to rapidly convene scientific meetings in Geneva, or via telephone or video-conferencing (e.g. influenza vaccine composition meeting, SARS laboratory and epidemiology working groups set up at the time of the SARS epidemic).

Working closely with Member States to revise the International Health Regulations which will set up the ground-rules between WHO and its Member States, should a global public health emergency arise.

Note: none of these measures mean anything unless clear lines of coordination are established early on. Without that, any response, however big and quick, is a mess.

How much will it cost and where will the money come from?

You have to spend more money on preparation, or much of what is spent on action is wasted.

The idea is to build up enough cash on hand so that rapid health assessment teams can be equipped and ready to go within three hours of an emergency being declared - not three days, as in the case of the tsunami.

The International Health Regulations can help to define the arrangements and procedures needed, the relevant authorities and their responsabilities.